April 26, 2011

by Kevin Bonner

At first glance, the sports of swimming and golf don't seem to have much in common. But La Salle junior Ed Carnes, a standout in the pool and on the links for the Explorers, would disagree.

"Swimmers are arguably some of the most mentally tough athletes," he said. "It runs from the first day of school in August through February and you are in a constant state of fatigue. The only time you feel good is [A-10] championship week when you are tapering.

"In golf, if you hit a bad shot, you can't let that get to you. I didn't have that attitude as a kid and it reflected in my game."

Carnes has used that mental toughness to excel as a two-sport athlete in a pair of individual sports that require hours and hours of preparation. A school record holder in swimming and one of the top two Explorers on the links this spring, Carnes relies on his mind as much as his body to beat the competition.

"That's why I love swimming and golf," Carnes said. "The same principles carry over to daily activities. You have to be mentally tough if you want to succeed."

That attitude proved true in February. Despite being ill with a stomach bug that swept through most of the Explorer swimming team at the Atlantic 10 Championship, Carnes set a school record in the 100 butterfly (49.16) during the prelims and went on to earn bronze in the event. The record was even more gratifying because it meant besting roommate Austin Thomas.

"We have a good competition and we are always going to push each other," Carnes said. "That really drives me."

Thomas set the school record in the 100 butterfly at Rutgers in November, snapping a record that was set in 1992. Carnes, who was sick before and after the race, wasn't going to let anything stand in the way of breaking the record.

"I didn't want to sacrifice seven months of intense training just because I didn't feel good," Carnes said. "I hate excuses. There's no reason you can't do something if you work that hard for it."

His mental toughness certainly paid off and the Tinton Falls, N.J. native called it the most satisfying race of his La Salle career. It was the only time he defeated his good friend all season in the event.

In individual sports like swimming and golf, often times the team aspect can be lost in the shuffle of personal best times and low scores. Carnes believes it is one of his duties to keep each squad focused on the success of the team as a whole. It is something that is often lost in high school and club swimming.

"In club or high school swimming, it's not how we did, it's how I did," Carnes said. "That's what you're taught in swimming. I am huge on the team aspect and take a leadership role in keeping the team focused on that goal. Our goal this season was to win A-10s and we placed third. Everyone's mindset should be toward helping the team."

While Carnes has been swimming since he was seven, his true passion resides on the golf course. After beginning to play consistently when he was 12, the junior has yet to plateau as a golfer.

"I keep getting better and better every year," Carnes said. "I'd love to see how far golf can take me."

Carnes shot a 76-76-86 last season at the Atlantic 10 Championship, but really came into his own over the summer. He was regularly shooting in the high 60s at his home course, Sun Eagles Golf Club, and was a plus-two handicap in August. He won the Sun Eagles Club Championship and qualified for the New Jersey Amateur for the second straight year.

A scholarship swimmer, Carnes knows his priorities remain in the pool. But head coach Matt Nunnally and assistant coach Jamie Platt have allowed Carnes to pursue a second sport at La Salle.

"The swimming coaches are really flexible, and I really appreciate that, probably more than they know," Carnes said. "They know when it's swimming season that my mind is on swimming and they know my priorities are in the right spot."

Carnes also places a high priority on his studies, compiling a 3.41 GPA as a finance major with an economics minor. He manages to complete all his assignments despite his jam-packed schedule, which in the fall and winter, includes nine practices per week for swimming. Three days there are morning and evening practices.

He is considering pursuing an internship this summer, but his heart is pulling him in another direction. Carnes would like to focus on improving his golf game to a level where he may be able to play for a living.

"I'm not saying playing on the PGA Tour or any tour, really, but I would love to see how far I can go with golf," he said. "That could mean doing really well in state tournaments, playing in the U.S. amateur...I'm. trying to get my game good enough to see how far I can go."

With Carnes' work ethic and mental toughness, nothing should be discounted for this two-sport star.